Why Certain People are Business Owners

For a long time I thought well anyone can be a business owner… I saw my father run his businesses and everything seemed fine, but what I didn’t see (also considering I was young and ignorant) was the behind the scenes of being a business owner.

What I mean by “behind the scenes” is that no one sees all the hours you put into making the business stand on its own.  Most see the paycheck they receive from you or how it’s running in that moment.  You don’t see the moments where at times you scrape to make ends meet to keep it barely floating above water as you gasp for air hoping you can hold your breath just long enough.  You don’t see the hours the owner is up at the office or warehouse working after everyone has gone home for the day while they stay up there tying up loose ends or figuring out how to get more business.  Did you ever think for a second that your paycheck may have been from the owners savings because they didn’t have enough in payroll to pay you?  If you think about it, the company is slow and you are not doing much work but they still keep you on board with the same pay and somehow you still have your consistent paycheck…

Even with small businesses they don’t have someone come clean their bathrooms in the office, they are cleaning them on the weekends or when they have a spare minute.  It’s amazing how some look at you like you’re crazy when you clean the bathroom, but oh the look they would give you if you said to them “well would you like to clean it?”  The response never goes over very well (yes I know first hand).  One of the biggest ways you can tell that there is a difference between an owner and an employee is that they will not clean a bathroom.  You do what you have to do to make it work (that is the biz owner and entrepreneurial spirit). 

It takes certain people to be able to delegate but also work hard side by side with the employees.  Most small business owners (yes are the owners) work long hours at their business.  I think some think “oh you own a business, well I bet that is awesome, you can tell everyone what to do and do what you want,” umm no my friend it does not work that way (well maybe for some). 

Dedication has to be in your blood if you want to be a business owner.  When your employees decide they don’t want to mess with a customer or they caused problems it all comes back on you and you have to deal with the customer (because usually they ask for the person in charge if they are pissed by this point).  You have to not be afraid to take risks.  A business is a journey on its own it’s a roller coaster ride just as much as life is.  But if you don’t take risks with the business you will never grow or learn from your mistakes on how to make the business better.  Many don’t like to take risks so it takes a certain person to be willing to do that. 

Now I am not saying that everyone can’t be a business owner, I’m just simply saying that there are things you need to realize before you jump into owner mode.  It’s not as easy as you think or in books where you see the people smiling (behind the smile they are stressed out going oh man I have so much to do!).  Don’t let me scare you from being one because it’s fun, an adventure, rewarding, challenging and well you get the point.  Let’s put it this way though, are you willing to clean your office bathroom?  If you can answer yes to that then sure go for it. 

“A business is a great thing to own, just don’t screw it up” 

Happy Veterans Day!

Small Business Economic Recovery (TPE)

Hey all!  Just wanted to let you know about this great article ( that we had the chance to comment on!)   The article is on Mike Michalowicz TheToiletPaperEntrepreneur.com  Mike asked fellow businesses and entrepreneurs what they thought about small businesses being the backbone of the economy.  Check out what everyone said and our comment about small businesses as well! 

Here is the article link: Small Business Economic Recovery

Make sure to check it out and to comment on it and RT it on Twitter!

What Small Businesses Teach Us

You know when you travel or go on a road trip and stop through the smaller towns with random places to eat or shop?  I promise some of the best memories I have are stopping at these places and the people that were there running them.  Yes some of them were in some small country towns with a few of them with strong accents but being from TN it always makes me feel at home to hear that southern accent.  The reason I ask this is what do you remember about these small businesses when you encounter them?  Do you notice how nice they treat you and care about what you have to say?  Do they treat you with respect and warm your heart with kindness?

I grew up around the family owning small businesses and when I was younger I never understood it all and why they worked so hard for sometimes to get nothing.  I would watch my grandfather and dad work day in and out to try and make their business the best it can be.  I always said when I was in high school (of course these are the dark days we refer to when all we tend to think about is ourselves and friends) that I would never work for the family businesses.  Well of course you know what happened…. I went to college on a volleyball scholarship and received a great education while receiving a degree in Communications and Marketing.  I thought of all the things I wanted to do and where I would go, etc. until after college things were slow and jobs were scarce here with the economy.  My dad called me after a few months of working odd jobs to make ends meet to try and apply for jobs and told me about another small business he was going to purchase.  Of course I knew what was coming but after he told me about it I thought about it and was like you know it won’t be that bad and I can go ahead and start working.  I had no idea what I was about to get into and what all I would learn over the next few years.

A few years have gone by now and as I sit here and look back on them I realize just how much I learned from working with a small business.  It taught me about life, how to treat others, customer service and most of all how much hard work it takes to run a business.  It’s amazing what you don’t know about how much a business owner has to do to keep the business afloat sometimes.  I would see the accounts drain so quick as payments came in from all the materials used that it barely covers your labor.  There were many times that my dad would have to dip into his own savings just to keep the business rolling at times.  So many people would say why on earth would you do that?  Well it’s because of the passion and determination that they have to keep their business going and it’s a part of them.  Life is one big journey but your business is a large part of that journey as well.

Being a part of the business made me into a stronger and more determined person.  I have always believed that anything is possible, especially with playing sports but after seeing the ups and downs of business you start to realize that hard work truly pays off for those who keep going.  Every day I am inspired by the people I meet that have small businesses whether it’s their story or the person they are because of that business.  Small businesses teach us that no matter big or small success comes in all shapes and sizes.  If we limit ourselves we don’t know what we are missing.  I never knew that I would benefit so much from working in a smaller business or that I would not trade one day of it to have started or done something else.  My determination is unstoppable and I know that the sky is the limit.  Small businesses inspire me and make me want to inspire others to tell them that anything is possible with hard work!

Small business owners, my hat is off to you.

Some Tips for Greening Your Office

We are getting ready to have a page dedicated to making your business green.  We all want  to do what we can to save but also to conserve energy.  As a a business there are numerous things you can do to help even with just a few simple things.  We will also have some great sites and articles for you to check out.  So make sure to check back at our site soon for the new page!  And of course we will give you a heads up when it’s ready Visit us at www.businessbeware.biz

Here is a great article to start off with on SmallBiz.com

Quick Tips: Turning Your Office Green…

The Importance of a “Change Order” Form for a Business

If you do not use a change order form for your business, especially in the service industry you better start!  A few months ago we had a customer we were building a new fence for around their house and they decided to add more to the original order.  That is normal for a customer wanting to add on to the original contract or order BUT if you don’t take note of it or get them to sign something then how do you have proof they agreed to you ordering more materials?  You don’t…

We actually did get this customer to sign a change of order form to add the new materials and footage to the first contract.  We ordered the materials and even installed them with the customer there.  When the job was done and we sent out the invoice, the customer waited a week and then called in saying “I didn’t order this many extra fence materials or agree to this.”  Well I guess he forgot that he signed that form with us so we faxed it over to him showing the proof.  He did forget about it (or we think unless he was just trying to get out of the extra money).

This is just a simple situation where the change of order form comes in SO handy!  You do not want customers coming back saying that they are not going to pay for things they did agree to in the beginning… This is a simple step for your business, if you don’t have one get up and create one right now!

 

Lunch.com – A Cool Website for Reviews

I stumbled across this site the other day and thought it was worth sharing with all of you.  It’s called Lunch.com It’s where you can review different sites, ideas, etc. and talk about it with others.  It’s a great social network and way to get the word out about your site or to see some reviews and feedback about your business.

Check out our article/review on the site to see what it’s all about: http://www.lunch.com/reviews/UserReview-BusinessBeware_biz-1427965-13968-BusinessBeware_biz_Creates_a_Site_for_Businesses.html

Take advantage of this great tool whether it’s for your business or just to chat with others about great stuff!

Enjoy!

New Business Spotlight: Sal’s Heating and Cooling

We are spotlighting another great company: Sal’s Heating and Cooling.  Make sure to check out their story of how they became a great business and if you’re in the Ohio area, give them a call!

http://businessbeware.biz/busspotlight.html

Lake Michigan Beach Builders

Check out our new business spotlight, Lake Michigan Beach Builders… Check out their story and business at http://www.businessbeware.biz/busspotlight.html

Have somone that should be nominated for the spotlight or you think that deserves it? Send it our way!

Make Sure You Have a Friendly Staff

I know this is common sense but why is it we still keep some of those same people in our offices that cause problems?  There are always a ton of reasons but we all want to appeal to the customers and show that we do have good customer service.  If your office person who answers the phone is constantly having a bad attitude when dealing with customers on the phone, that is going to rub the customer wrong and get them a little agitated at your business right off at the start.  How mad do you get when you call a business and get a rude person on the phone that rubs you wrong when all you were doing was calling for their service?? 

If your office person does not have a great attitude, talk to them and remind them that their job is to “talk” to the customers.  If they still don’t change, well then I would say there may be a few customers you lost because you kept them…. Also, if the person causes you some drama within the office, that’s what we call a tumor and you have to cut the cancer out!  Keeping someone that causes drama and stirs things up in your office is only going to make a million things worse.  

As you’re reading this short excerpt, you’re probably thinking well I already know that…. well if you do and you have one in your business, what are they still doing there?  Make a move!  Your business’s image reflects off everyone that’s on your staff….

www.businessbeware.biz

When Others Say it can’t Be Done…

How many times have you had a great idea and when you tell someone about it, they look at you like you’re crazy and then follow with ” that will never work…”  I know some of you are shaking your head yes, and I can honestly say I have been told that many times already. 

Any entrepreneur can tell you that you have to have thick skin when going after an idea or dream.  There’s a difference between an entrepreneur and a non entrepreneur, which is when someone tells you that your idea won’t work, it makes you double your drive to make that idea come to life.  Those who are not, will take it in, get mad and just stop as if they have been defeated and move to something else. 

Think about how many people get told that their business idea won’t work or it’s not good enough, even some of the biggest businesses were once told that and they proved those people wrong.  I love to hear about people’s stories when they talk about how they started out with their idea and how many people turned them down but yet they still made it because they believed in it and all it took was another to believe in it too.  Like for instance, Stephenie Myers who wrote the Twilight series, she had this great idea for this book and she sent out numerous letters.  She received many rejection letters that came back and she saved each one of them, making it drive her even more to succeed in getting that book published.  And one day someone responded to her and picked it up and now look at it, it’s a best selling book and just had a movie about it.  I love the part where she said she kept the rejection letters to drive her and don’t you think those ones that rejected her are kicking themselves right now??

Another story I love is the one about Tom’s Shoes.  Blake in an interview was asked if there were people who thought his idea would work or not and he replied with “of course, I had so many tell me that this concept would more than likely not work.”  But look at him now with what he and his company have done, where they give a pair of shoes away for each pair that is bought.  That’s a pretty awesome concept and idea, he definitely proved those wrong. 

There is nothing wrong with being pessimistic sometimes because it’s called realism in other words too.  You have to have some that pull you back down out of the clouds but it doesn’t mean that you have to forfeit your dream or idea.  I have learned that you take the good in with the bad and learn from it but use it to make you or your idea better.  And when those tell it can’t be done, prove them wrong.  And when you do prove them wrong, how much sweeter is it to go back to them and say “now what do you think about my idea?” 

No idea is a bad idea, maybe you need to work out some of the kinks but never give up on a dream or idea because if you do, the world may miss out on something great.

-Ashley

www.businessbeware.biz